More than 70 people got qualifications last year. A council report says the service “has contributed directly to healthier and more prosperous communities”.

It employs staff working 1.2 and 0.33 of a full working week. They will moved into other roles or be made redundant, a move that would see a £10,000 payout.

Cash for the scheme was cut from £95,439 in 2009/10 to £40,048 in 2010/11.

The council is trying to get other Learndirect providers to use the libraries but no deal has been reached. It has pledged to provide other courses with library staff.

The firm told The Silhillian: “In order to use our funding to help as many people as we can across England we have decided to work with fewer, larger providers which deliver quality learning to people living in areas with the highest levels of need, in particular unemployment.

“Unfortunately this means some providers will not be receiving a contract in 2011/2012, including Solihull MBC.”